Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Clermont-Ferrand canvas hall, located on the current Rue du Séminaire, once occupied Place des Taules, a market place animated by flying vices. Its existence was attested as early as 1480, and its construction probably dates back to the early 15th century. Originally, it extended to Rue de la Boucherie, where it reached an old hall nearby. The building, backed by the rampart erected under William IV, then had only one ground floor, characterized by four large arcades in basket coves separated by narrow doors. These openings, framed by cylindrical columnlets with prismatic bases, served as locations for canvas merchants.

In the 18th century, the hall underwent major changes: it was raised by two floors, and the clearing of the road in 1733 increased its ground floor, placing it on a terrace. The primitive arcades were preserved, but their structure was incorporated into the new elevation. The columns, without capitals, extend into a mulled boudin surrounding the berries. This change reflects the adaptation of the building to the commercial and urban needs of the time.

Classified as a Historical Monument since 1954 for its facade and roof slope, the canvas hall bears witness to the commercial history of Clermont-Ferrand. Property of the municipality, it illustrates both the medieval utilitarian architecture and the urban transformations of the Enlightenment. Its location, near the old ramparts, also recalls the defensive and economic role of the city over the centuries.

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